Chapter Fifteen: Reciting Texts at the County Academy

After a night spent memorizing and visualizing in cultivation, Song Mu awoke at dawn feeling clear-headed and refreshed, his thoughts more lively than usual. Though he had not yet produced any mental power, he could sense that his efforts were already bearing fruit. Perhaps, by the time he recited the third or fourth book, there would be a change.

His second aunt had already risen to prepare breakfast, while his second uncle was still asleep from last night’s drinking. When Song Mu stepped out to wash, Yaya was carrying firewood to the kitchen.

“Yaya, let me help you.” Song Mu stepped forward, taking the firewood from Yaya’s arms and carrying it into the kitchen. His second aunt, who was drawing water, hurried over to take the firewood from him.

“Mu, you mustn’t. A gentleman stays far from the kitchen,” she chided.

But Song Mu only smiled and insisted on placing the firewood in the kitchen. “Aunt, in our family, we don’t have so many rules.”

Mistress Zhu, however, maintained her sternness. “That will not do. Mu, you’re going to be a great scholar one day. You can’t do things that would cost you dignity.”

Song Mu did not argue, simply set down the firewood, and asked, “Aunt, how is Uncle?”

After last night’s commotion, his uncle had slept through it all, seemingly unaffected.

Mistress Zhu waved her hand as she poured water into the pot. “He’s fine, just mumbled some nonsense. With all that racket last night, and you and your uncle coming home so late, I was truly worried.”

Then, with a more cautious tone, she added, “Mu, there was quite a stir in the city yesterday. Do you know what happened?”

Song Mu shook his head with a smile. The matter was too grave to be spread through idle gossip. With demons and monsters having entered the city, Song Mu could well imagine the city officials were now frantically seeking the cause, lest they lose their positions.

“I don’t know either, but I think it’s over now. For the next few days, don’t let Yaya stray too far from home. Who knows what else might happen on the streets?”

Mistress Zhu nodded in agreement. She held great respect for this nephew, especially after his recent recovery from illness, when he had helped tidy the household, even securing the silver needed for the provincial exam himself. Even yesterday, her husband was able to dine at the Kong family’s table, and she’d heard from neighbors that it was thanks to Mu’s poems. The envy in their eyes made Mistress Zhu feel proud, so she listened to Song Mu’s words without question.

After breakfast, Song Mu hurried to the county academy. Even with the city on edge and patrols everywhere after last night, the pursuit of learning could not be delayed.

Upon entering the hall, Kong Zong greeted him, glancing all around before sighing with relief. “I’m glad you’re safe. My father spoke of dangers in the city last night—I barely slept.”

Song Mu cupped his hands in greeting, then asked, “Thank you for your concern. Do you know how the coachman who took me home yesterday is doing? He suffered an unexpected hardship.”

Kong Zong replied that all was well—no one in the city had been harmed, and the incident was now behind them. However, he then turned to Song Mu, excitement lighting his eyes. “I heard the Azure Sky Guard were here. Did you see them? What do they look like? What arts did they use?”

Moments before, Kong Zong had been solemn, but now, talking about the Azure Sky Guard, he seemed like a different person, his eyes glowing with longing.

Seeing this usually upright friend so eager, Song Mu smiled inwardly—if only you knew the Azure Sky Guard you wish to meet is right beside you, and even younger than you are.

Out loud, he replied, “I think it was a descendant of Wang Bo. Quite formidable.”

“Wang Bo? One of the Four Talents of Early Tang?” Kong Zong’s face shone with admiration at this news.

Song Mu laughed. “Kong, do you wish to join the Azure Sky Guard yourself?”

Kong Zong looked a bit embarrassed, but straightened his back. “Of course! Every scholar knows the Azure Sky Guard is full of prodigies, masters of literary power, who come and go like the wind—banishing demons and comforting the people. They’re the emperor’s trusted aides!”

He spoke with such fervor that his cheeks flushed. Clearly, this life of chivalry and righteousness ignited the passion of the seventeen-year-old.

“If I’m fortunate enough to pass the provincial exam, I’ll go to Jinling and try out for the Azure Sky Guard. What do you think, Song?”

Song Mu nodded with a smile, his own thoughts stirring. Yesterday, Li Mo had shown him a whole new world and seemed keen to recruit him for the Azure Sky Guard as well.

But for now, he’d focus on passing the county exam—then perhaps the provincial one—and consider it in due time.

After a few more words, they entered the academy, where the scholars were all abuzz with speculation about the previous night’s chaos.

Not long after, Master Xun, rarely seen in the children’s hall, entered with several books in hand, sweeping the room with a stern gaze.

“Today, we recite from memory. In a quarter-hour, anyone who errs more than three times will not go home today.”

Everyone looked at the pile of classics Master Xun tossed on the desk—the Four Books and Five Classics, a formidable stack. To recite them all in one sitting was already daunting, and with only three errors allowed, faces went pale. It seemed no one would be going home today.

Song Mu, however, remained calm. Though he hadn’t memorized everything perfectly, after last night’s visualization, his memory had improved remarkably—he could now read ten lines at a glance and recall them instantly. He decided to seize this chance to test his new ability.

He took out his books, sat at his desk, and began flipping through page after page with a crisp, rhythmic sound that drew curious eyes from all around.

Kong Zong, watching Song Mu turn pages every few breaths, could only smile wryly. “Song, what are you doing?”

“Reviewing, of course. Master will test us soon,” Song Mu replied, eyes glued to the text.

“But can you really remember like that?”

Song Mu said nothing, continuing to read. Nearby, Pan Wenhao gave a cold snort. “Song must have lost his mind—maybe he’s comforting himself, knowing he won’t be going home today.”

Others glanced over, equally puzzled. Song Mu, after all, had written fine poems yesterday, but could he really memorize so much by flipping so quickly?

Song Mu ignored the stares. His eyes flew across the page, ten lines at a time, committing them to memory. As he read, he even began to recite passages backward, and though he stumbled, he found his recall deepened. This method for cultivating mental power was truly accessible—even without mastery, it proved a powerful tool for memory.

To think that such a plain, rote method had allowed his ancestor to develop such astonishing abilities—Song Mu marveled at this, his spirits lifting, his hands turning pages even faster. The sharp sound of flipping pages filled the hall, drawing Master Xun’s gaze. He frowned at Song Mu’s actions, but said nothing, instead sitting by the door with a book of his own.

Seeing this, the other boys hurriedly opened their own classics, scrambling to review and memorize.

Soon, Master Xun began to call on students to recite. Any who missed three sentences would be paddled before being sent back to their seats to study further.

It was a scene reminiscent of Song Mu’s own childhood struggles with memorization.

Pan Wenhao was called up. When it came to the “Spring and Autumn Annals,” he stumbled badly, earning Master Xun’s wrath and several sharp slaps with the paddle. The others watched with a mix of schadenfreude and relief. As Pan returned to his seat, he shot Song Mu a venomous look.

Song Mu kept turning his pages, undisturbed by the commotion.

When it was Kong Zong’s turn, he recited flawlessly—no surprise for one raised in a scholarly family, diligent in his studies.

After Kong sat down, Master Xun’s gaze fell on Song Mu. “Song Mu, your turn,” he called.

At last, Song Mu closed the final book and let out a deep breath, a smile appearing on his face.

“Master, I am ready,” he announced.